Physiotherapy | Pilates | Dance Medicine
Do you know the history behind you Pilates workout? The Pilates method was founded by Joseph Pilates during the mid 20th century. It has only been more recently that the clinical community, consisting of physiotherapists and other allied health professionals, has embraced the practice and promoted it as a valuable system for injury prevention and rehabilitation, as well as a safe and effective tool in maintaining general fitness and wellness.
The client experience must always be the first priority. For so many years Pilates practitioners and physiotherapists have worked together to achieve great outcomes for their clients. Enough of the physio vs Pilates; let's come together and continue to have the client as the primary concern. There is space for everybody.
OVERLOAD - Understanding the triggers and minimising the risk.
We spend a lot of time discussing the importance of strength of the feet and legs in dancers. It makes sense - the feet are what connect us to the ground, and especially in a young dancer contemplating commencing pointe work for the first time, the focus is very much on the lower limb. What is often overlooked is the importance of the upper limb - the hands, arms, and shoulders and their connection into the upper back.
Tips to assist with recovery between long stage rehearsals & back-to-back performances
I was recently asked to contribute my knowledge and expertise to the Bodywise edition of Dancetrain Magazine - it's the second last article, so scroll down! We focused on methods to assist in physical recovery during busy dance schedules, with tips to help your body during exam and comp time. I've outlined additional non-physical methods in... Continue Reading →
Few things give me more professional joy and inspiration than teaching the next generation of young dancers about their bodies. Last weekend I ventured out to Bairnsdale in regional Victoria to the Jan Pianta School of Dance - the longest running dance school in East Gippsland, headed up by Jan Pianta. East Gippsland holds a... Continue Reading →
Never underestimate the power of a beautifully controlled, expertly executed rise. Dance physiotherapists place great importance on the technique, control and endurance of a single leg rise to demi pointe when assessing a dancer's readiness to commence pointe work. It gives us valuable insight into where a dancer may be lacking in their development and... Continue Reading →
The junior dance competition season is underway, and for many young dancers it is an exciting opportunity to perform on stage. However, the school holidays, rather than being a time for rest and recuperation between busy school terms, can transform into a hive of additional activity with dancers participating in winter schools and eisteddfods. In... Continue Reading →
Commencing pointe work is a rite of passage for many young dancers. It is an exciting milestone, eagerly anticipated by dance students, teachers and parents alike. However, dancing en pointe is not a natural thing for a human body to be doing; few dancers are fortunate to have been born with the exact physical attributes... Continue Reading →